The role of sphinganine analog mycotoxins on the virulence of plant pathogenic fungi

Functional genomics and recent analytical developments have contributed to partially resolving the complexity and the important roles of sphingolipids in plant cell physiology. In the light of these discoveries, it is worthwhile to reassess the function of the sphinganine analog mycotoxins, which are produced by plant pathogenic fungi. The mode of action of sphinganine analog mycotoxins, which disrupt cellular sphingolipid metabolism, contributes to unravelling the role of sphingolipid intermediaries in the defense reaction mediated by the phytohormones salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene. Thus toxin production appears to be an effective pathogen strategy to modulate the host cell defense response.